More headlines

The headline police are active today and they aren't nitpicking our small local bretheren. These come from the "Grey Lady" herself! It's early in the morning, but my favorite aunt often took her medicine early in the day, too.

• 2 Firefighters Killed in Buffalo Fire

• So do you think the buffalo was self-immolating? Was it a big buffalo and why were the firemen so close? Maybe it was on a bar-b-que pit? I bet it wasn't a water buffalo.
  

• Girl Killed as Wave Hits Storm Watchers

• Was the girl near the storm watchers, was she one of them, was she watching the watchers? Did the storm kill the girl or just the assault?
  

Both of these stories detail a tragic and deadly event. In no way, am I spoofing the untimely and unexpected loss of a loved one. Death ripples out across families and communities. While we know we will eventually share this procedure, we are rarely conscious of its proximity.

Nevertheless, the writers of these headlines produced an ambiguous statement. That's my target. And believe me writing a headline is often harder than writing the story because of the space limitation!

More Headline Analysis

July 23rd, 2009

EXCLUSIVE: Live pigs wounded, euthanized in troop trauma training

For breaking news on a hot, dusty afternoon, the above headline ought to bring a lot of traffic to this media's Web site.

I know many of my friends and I often discuss the fate of "live pigs". We wonder about the sanitary condition of their home — pig sties — and the care and benevolence they receive.

But this headline confused me. Unfortunately, Monk wasn't nearby to interpret it.

First what is the purpose of the adjective "Live"? I mean can you "wound" a non-live, aka "dead" pig? Or more importantly, can one euthanize a "dead" pig?

If so, will you readers who how please share those well-guarded and kept secrets with me and perhaps some other readers? There are some others out there, right?

So wounding and euthanizing pigs, remember the "enemy" are pigs and not wild boars, is suppose to be part of the trauma training for our troops? What are these — a troop of Cub Scouts or Brownies?

We're training soldiers for battle, hardening their reactions to the bloody and deathly melee, the grisly carnage to be found all about them. So pigs are a substitute? Just because biologists claim the DNA is similar and they can test new drugs on pigs, the military is now bombing and shooting them? Actually some were stabbed.

And what about "euthanize", is that "ize" for "kill"? If euthanizing is suppose to be trauma training, why not send these rookies to some animal shelters. The workers there are very disturbed that they have to work full-time reducing the world's cat and dog populations.

Anyways, don't you think the "Return of Animal Farm" or "Animal Farm: the Slaughter of the Pigs" would have been better headlines and raised fewer of these insightful questions?

Better Journalism for All

Okay, enough with the evolution and zoology Idyes. I want to devote this blog to better journalism — both yours and mine.

After nearly six years, I feel I can begin to share some pointers with you that will make reading the newspapers more interesting (even outside the bathroom).

So I’ll begin with headlines, which are what you usually see first, unless you’re farsighted.

The headline is supposed to capture your attention, raise your curiosity and entice you to read the whole story, unless you speed read and omit modifiers).

Let me give you and example from last week. This is an actual headline that appeared in one of our local periodicals (actually a daily).

“1 dead after car hits fence, tree, pole “.

It captures your attention because you wonder how hard the car hit these objects, why did it hit them and what caused the altercation. More importantly in this example, you become curious about whether the tree, pole or fence succumbed to the impact of the vehicle.

This choice and the unknown are what really tempt you to become involved with the story premise. It’s a guessing game and you want to be right. A challenge, such as throwing down the gauntlet, is a literary device more than 100 years old.

But you are familiar with it since elementary school. You may not remember it (unless you watch “The Price is Right”). So you accept the challenge. Rather than an writing essay, the multiple choice test offered in this headline evokes your memories of eighth grade (which is our target reading level). Those old wooden desk were much safer and more comfortable than today’s stainless steel or composite wood.

During those years, you read about the “The Lady, or the Tiger”, written in 1882. What’s behind door number 2? A successful headline evokes these feelings of youthful competition.

Hidden within this story, you discover another common journalistic trick — irony. None of the objects mentioned in the headline — the tree, the fence or the pole — died. Ironically, it was the driver. Congratulations for those who thought outside the box.

Good reporting surprises you with additional information and keeps you keenly attentive to the next paragraph.

Later this week, I’ll explain the difference between your local scribe and the New York Times, Washington Post and the PeE. (besides the number of Pulitzer Prizes and other awards). You’ll learn about a cherished and established journalistic tradition — anonymous sources.

Remember all this who, where, when, why and how are “off the record”.